Hanford High School
Class of 1978
30 Year Reunion
47 Classmates at the reunion...what a great weekend!
The reunion was an overwhelming success, thanks to all who attended. So many people commented how it was so great to reconnect with old buddies and chat with classmates who they might not have known back then.
I heard one person say they almost skipped the reunion, but were glad they came because they went away with one of those "warm fuzzy feelings" that is so good for your soul.
For Those Who Attended:
- SLEEPLESSNESS? A number of people have admitted they had trouble falling asleep Friday and Saturday nights, after all the excitement of talking to so many old classmates. You too?
- SEND SOME IN...GET MORE IN RETURN. Did you take pictures? Randy will collect them from everyone, put them all on one disk, and send you a copy. Please mail them to Randy Otterholt, 1023 E Hawk Ct, Spokane WA 99208 (or email them to otterholt@hanford78.com).
- Send in your MEMORY BOOK QUESTIONNAIRE. If you didn't get one, go here to print one out.
- Send Randy your message and photos to be posted on your ALUMNI PAGE (or we will pick one for you!). Email message and photos to otterholt@hanford78.com, or mail to above address.
For Those Who DIDN'T Attend:
- You were missed! There were many, many people who were asking why so-and-so wasn't there, or said they were really hoping that an old classmate was going to be there. Everyone was nervous about coming, but it only took a few minutes for this to melt away. Those who had reservations about coming were ALL glad they did!
- Let us know where you are (submit this form), so we can keep you updated. You were truly missed!
- We want you to be a part of the 2008 Memory Book. Please print out the Memory Book Questionnaire, and mail back the two pages as soon as possible.
Who Attended?
- Here is a list of classmates who attended. It's taken from the sign-in sheets, so let me know if you were left off the list.
Friday Evening At Deb's
- Friday evening was the ice breaker. Many people were giddy with excitement when they heard it was to be at Deb's house, which was the location of a wild graduation party 30 years ago.
- The entire evening very casual and comfortable. It consisted of catching up with old friends, and chatting with others who they might not have known as well 30 years ago. Many people said they were very nervous before they arrived, but said it only took a couple of minutes for their nervousness to fade away.
- All classmates who preregistered got a nametag with their 1978 picture on it. These proved to be very helpful; some of us don't look quite like we did back then!.
- There was plenty to eat and drink, between the the food and beverages supplied by the reunion committee, and that brought by those who attended. However, people were so occupied with talking to classmates, they didn't slow down to eat much food.
- Many people stayed until after midnight, and a few die-hards were there until 3:00. Not quite as late as 30 years ago.
- Pictures, page 1
- Pictures, page 2
Golf Tournament
- On Saturday morning there was a golf tournament at Horn Rapids Golf Course, in record-breaking 104 degree heat.
- Golfers were Kirk Wheeler, Scott Fisk, John Barnes, Paul Mayer, Rik Jones, Brian Iller, Tim Hargraves, Terry Liikala, Matt Snyder, David Templeton, Jaime Henifin, Danny McCoy.
- Support Crew were Phil Drussel and Mike Maffeo, serving up beer, water, and chicken, and providing moral support and guidance.
- Tournament winners:
- Low Score: Rik Jones
- Closest To Pin: Rik Jones on hole #6; 20' 0"
- Longest Drive: Rik Jones on hole #14
- Closest to Pin: Brian Iller on hole #17; 8' 3"
- Longest Putt: Paul Mayer on hole #4; 16' 5"
- Pictures
Hiking
- A group of adventurers spent a beautiful Saturday morning exploring the outdoors. They met at the Badger Mountain meeting point, but because of the intense heat, they decided to hike around the Chamna Natural Preserve instead.
- The Chamna Natural Preserve is a Richland city park consisting of 276 acres adjacent to the Yakima River, by the I-182 bridge.
- Hikers were Deb Bell, Lynne Henifin, Gina Perrin, Diana & Pat Daling (and their two boys), Chuck Heaton, and Patty Hubbard (and her son and daughter).
- They had a great hike through a very scenic area, and reported seeing quite a bit of wildlife, including birds, spiders and snakes. The Chamna Preserve choice allowed for shade, and scenic rest stops along the river.
- Pictures
School Tour
- Saturday afternoon, Deb and Norm Bell lead a group of people on a tour of the newly-remodeled Hanford High School. There were classmates, spouses, family, and also teachers Carl Wilson and Phyllis David.
- We all met at the new front entrance to the school, which is now on the west side (the old entrance was on the south side).
- We were able to see the administration/commons area, classrooms (including Mr. Mayer's), gymnasium, auditorium, and library. We got to sit down at the student's desks in one classroom, a very traumatic moment for some.
- All areas of the school are now accessible without ever going outdoors.
- Some of the original structures that were kept but remodeled are the gymnasium, woodshop building, cafeteria, library, and auditorium.
- Gone are the wings that were the elementary, junior high, and high school classrooms.
- We saw Greg Thesenvitz's photo in the Hall of Fame, above one of the many trophy cases, along with lots of evidence throughout the school of a very successful 36 years of winning teams, organizations, coaches, instructors, and individuals.
- As we were ending our tour, we saw someone entering the school dressed head-to-toe in purple and gold, handing out balloons. It took everyone a minute to realize it was one of our own classmates, Diana (Sutherland) Daling!
- Pictures
Saturday Evening Main Event
- The Main Event started at 6:30 at the Courtyard Richland Columbia Point hotel. There was an open bar for people to purchase their beverages, and plenty of appetizers. Happy Hour lasted about an hour.
- At 7:30, the class was welcomed by Randy Otterholt, and the dinner buffet opened. On the menu: prime rib or herb-crusted chicken, roasted new potatoes, Caesar salad, pasta salad, seasonal vegetables.
- Towards the end of dinner, there was a fun video presentation that Lynne McCoy Henifin and her daughter put together. It had many yearbook pictures, and various other photos taken around senior year. It was set to music from our high school years, and full of energy!
- Next we were all directed outside so that Joe Reynolds could take our group photograph. Kathy Miles utilized her soccer mom voice to organize everybody in a line, from short to tall. Then Joe arranged us on the steps, and took the pictures.
- After the group photo, Randy talked a little about the website, and encouraged people to send in their messages and pictures for posting on their Alumni Page. He explained that the website was not just a reunion website, but our class alumni website, and would remain active well into the future. Randy received a warm round of applause for his website efforts, for which he was truly thankful.
- Then the microphone was turned over to Paul Mayer, who gave a rundown on the golf tournament that took place earlier that day. He awarded prizes to the winners (see Golfing section above).
- Next was the trivia quiz..."Super Stats From 78...So Where Were You?" There were 10 questions in all. A question was shown on the screen, and people would raise their hand if they knew the answer. Then the answer was revealed. People were on the honor system to keep track of how many questions they got correct. The winner was Helen McCoy, with 8 correct answers. Tied for second place were Matt Snyder, Christel Reynolds, and Chuck Heaton. At the end of the quiz, the last stat was revealed: there were 188 graduates in our class. a number that nobody seemed to know until now.
- The last activity was the Awards Ceremony, hosted by Lynne McCoy Henifin and up-and-coming comedienne Sharon Bonham Lindgren . Here are the winners:
- Most Dangerous Job: Mike Maffeo (Corrections Officer)
- Most Tattoos or Body Piercings: Patty Heaton Eldredge (2+)
- Most Kids: Jackie Wehner Olson (4)
- Traveled the Furthest: Maury Valett (Virginia)
- Most College Degrees: Christel Vea Reynolds (1 BS, 1 BA, 4 PhD's)
- Most Pets: Phil Drussel (7)
- Lives Closest To Hanford HS: Debbie Quinton Barnes (2 blocks)
- Most Recently Became a Parent: Diana Sutherland Daling (5 years)
- Most Grandchildren: Patty Heaton Eldredge (6, with one on the way)
- Least Changed: Lynne McCoy Henifin (this was a close battle, with Mike Maffeo, Kathy Parker Miles, and Scott Fisk also in the running)
- Lived In The Most Places: Debbie Quinton Barnes (19)
- Time for dessert. After being on display all evening, the two cakes with the Hanford Falcon logo were finally served.
- The rest of the evening was spent with music from the 1970's, and people chatting and getting a closer look at all the fantastic memorabilia and pictures that were on display around the room. Debbie Quinton Barnes, Cori Snyder McMullin, and Kit Welty Steichen did a super job of finding items from our past. There were also a number of yearbooks from high school, and even junior high, which kept people entertained.
- The hotel clean-up crew started to clear the room around 11:00, so we had to wind down. Even after the room was emptied of people and memorabilia, there were people mingling in the hallway for quite a while. The evening finally ended, with many hugs and lots of smiles.
- Pictures, page 1
- Pictures, page 2
- Pictures, page 3
Group Photo
- I will be working with Joe Reynolds to distribute the Group Photo to all who attended.
- I might combine it with mailings of Memory Book items, so please be patient; this may take some time.
Thank you to:
- Reunion Committee members Patty (Noordhoff) Hubbard; Lynne (McCoy) Henifin; Randy Otterholt; Debbie (Montgomery) Bell; Paul Mayer; Colleen (Ferguson) Lowry; Debbie (Quinton) Barnes; Cori (Snyder) McMullin; Kit (Welty) Steichen; Kristi (Kimball) Martin.
- Our in-house comedienne, Sharon (Bonham) Lindgren, who didn't know she had this job until the day of the reunion.
- Joe Reynolds (Christel Vea Reynolds husband) for his professional photography services. Joe is with Northlight Photography in West Richland.
- Vicki (Chitwood) Williams and her husband Scott for contributing bottles of fine wine from their winery, Kiona Vineyards & Winery.
- Deb (Montgomery) Bell and her husband Norm for welcoming us at their house Friday night. It was a good way to announce to their neighbors that they are soon moving back to the neighborhood.
- Safety Signs Inc. and Lynne (McCoy) Henifin for providing the "Welcome HHS Class of '78" sign.
Archived 30 Year Reunion pages